Family Guide to ICU: What You Need to Know if Your Loved One is Admitted

When someone you love is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), it can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. Worry, fear, and confusion often follow. If you're in this situation, knowing what the ICU is, what kind of care it offers, and how to stay connected with the doctors and nurses can make things a little easier. This guide is here to help you through that experience and to help you feel more involved in your loved one's care.

What an ICU is and who needs it?

The ICU is a part of the hospital meant for people who are seriously ill or have life-threatening conditions. These patients often need constant attention and advanced medical treatments. A person may be admitted to the ICU after a major surgery, a serious infection, an accident, or a medical emergency like a heart attack or breathing failure.

Inside the ICU, you will see machines and monitors next to every bed. These are used to track important signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Some patients may be unconscious or may need help from a breathing machine. The goal in the ICU is to stabilise the patient and give them the best chance of recovery.

Who is responsible for the care in the ICU?

Care in the ICU is handled by a team of expert intensive care medicine doctors. The lead doctors are called intensivists-specialists trained to care for patients who are very ill. They are supported by many others, including:

• Critical care nurses, who stay close to the patient and respond quickly to any change in condition.
• Respiratory therapists, who manage breathing support like ventilators.
• Dietitians, who look after the patient's nutrition and feeding needs.
• Physiotherapists, who help prevent muscle stiffness and other problems, even for patients who can't move.
• Counsellors or social workers, who provide support to families during emotional or difficult times.

Each person in this group focuses on a specific part of the patient's health. Together, they work toward one goal: giving your loved one the best possible care.

What you may see and feel during an ICU visit?

The ICU can be an intense place. It may be quiet one moment and busy the next. You will probably notice machines that beep, tubes that carry fluids or medicine, and staff moving quickly. Your loved one may not look like themselves. They may be asleep, on a breathing machine, or unable to speak.

Hospitals in Kolkata limit the number of visitors and the time they can stay. This is to prevent infection and avoid stress for the patient. It's important to respect these rules, even though it can be hard to stay away.

Nurses will guide you about when you can visit, what you can bring, and what safety steps you need to follow. If you feel uncertain about anything you see, don't hesitate to ask a nurse or doctor.

How to stay informed and ask questions?

Clear and regular communication with the ICU team is very important. Most hospitals encourage families to choose one person as the main contact. This person receives updates and shares them with other family members. It helps reduce confusion and makes it easier for the medical team to stay in touch.

Doctors and nurses usually give updates once a day or more often if needed. If something is unclear, ask them to explain it again. You have every right to understand what's happening. Ask simple questions like:

• What is the current condition of my loved one?
• What are the next steps in treatment?
• Are there any changes I should be aware of?

The team wants you to feel included. It's okay to take notes or bring a trusted friend to listen with you.

How can families be involved in care decisions?

Even when a patient is unconscious or very sick, families can play a role in their care. Doctors may ask for your thoughts when discussing treatment plans, surgery options, or future steps. If there is a difficult decision to make-such as continuing life support or switching to comfort care-your input will be valued.

Indian medical practice respects both the science of medicine and the emotions of families. If your loved one shared any wishes before falling ill, mention them. If your culture or religion plays a role in how you make decisions, let the care team know. They will try to support you in a way that fits your beliefs.

How to care for yourself while your loved one is in the ICU?

When someone you care about is in critical condition, it's natural to forget about your own needs. You may not sleep well. You may skip meals. You may feel exhausted or anxious all the time.

But you can't help your loved one if you're not feeling well. Try to rest when you can. Eat regular meals, even if they're small. Take short walks or step outside for fresh air. Speak to someone about what you're going through. Most hospitals have counsellors or social workers who can listen and guide you.

What happens after the ICU stay?

Many patients improve and move out of the ICU to a regular hospital ward. Others may need more time in a step-down unit. Recovery might take weeks or even months, depending on the illness and how early treatment started.

Once your loved one is stable, the medical team will talk to you about the recovery plan. This could include medication, physical therapy, or even emotional support. Some patients may feel weak or confused after a long ICU stay. This is common and usually gets better with time.

Stay involved during this time. Attend follow-up meetings. Ask about home care if needed. Continue being a source of strength.

Our state-of-the-art modular Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICCU) and Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) stand out as one of the most advanced facilities of their kind. Every detail has been designed to support rapid, life-saving interventions while ensuring patient safety, comfort, and dignity.

Here is what you can expect from our unit:

• Advanced monitoring at every bed: Each bed is equipped with a 6-channel bedside monitor, allowing us to observe vital signs closely and respond immediately to any changes in a patient's condition.
• Central monitoring system: All patient monitors are connected to a central station that continuously records multiple parameters. This helps our team keep a real-time overview of every patient's status from one location.
• Ventilator support: We offer both invasive and non-invasive ventilation using some of the most advanced ventilators available. These systems operate 24x7 and are tailored to suit each patient's unique respiratory needs.
• Dialysis and blood purification treatments: We provide in-house haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and plasmapheresis. This allows us to support patients with heart failure, kidney failure or severe metabolic disturbances without delay.
• Advanced haemodynamic monitoring: Our unit uses the PICO system for in-depth monitoring of cardiovascular function. This helps guide treatment in patients with complex heart and circulation problems.
• IABP (Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump): We have round-the-clock access to IABP therapy, a life-saving support system used in critical cardiac care.
  Imaging and diagnostic services at the bedside: Ultrasound, echocardiography, and other essential imaging services are available 24x7, allowing for immediate diagnosis and guidance for procedures without moving the patient.
• Pacemaker support: We offer both temporary and permanent pacemaker implantation, depending on the patient's need, with facilities in place to act quickly.
• Primary angioplasty available 24 hours: For patients experiencing heart attacks or acute cardiac events, we are prepared to perform primary angioplasty at any time of day or night.
• Isolation cabins with negative pressure: Our unit includes specially designed rooms with negative pressure gradients. These are used to safely care for patients with infectious conditions while preventing the spread of infection to others.

At our Critical Care Medicine Department, we are dedicated to providing round-the-clock, specialised care for patients in critical condition. The department is led by two full-time, highly skilled critical care consultants who are supported by a committed team of experienced resident doctors. Every member of our team shares a common goal-to deliver the highest level of medical care with empathy and attentiveness to every patient and their family.